Printing apparatus



July 5, 1938. H L. LATZ 2,123,013

PRINTING APPARATUS Filed July 2,1957 5 Sheets-Sheet l I 'VENTOR. A flEE V1. 19 TZ A TTORNEYS.

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H. L. LATZ PRINTING APPARATUS Filed July 2, 1957 5 Sheets-Shear. 4

ENTO Ham? 44. [19 T2 ATTORNEYS.

Jul 5, 1938'.

H. LATZ 3,0 3

PRINTING APPARATUS 'Filed July 2, 1937 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. 5 42,? Y4 .10 Tz ATTORNEYS.

upper carrier it which Patented July 5, 1938 UNITED STATES PRINTING APPARATUS Harry L. Latz, New York, N. Y., assignor to Harry Latz Service, Inc., New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application July 2, 1937, Serial No. 151,574 20 Claims. ((31. 101-5'7) The invention relates to printing apparatus and has for its object to provide a novel apparatus whereby printed items may be readily added to previously printed matter to harmonize and accord therewith. The invention contemplates particularly the provision of a printing apparatus designed to function as a personal print machine for imparting to printed matter the appearance of having been specially prepared for the individuals receiving the same. Other more specific objects will appear from the description hereinafter and the features of novelty will be pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings which illustrate an example of the invention Without defining its limits, Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the novel apparatus; Fig. 2 is an opposite side elevation partly in longitudinal section; Fig. 3 is a plan view with parts broken away; Fig. 4 is a vertical cross-section on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2; Fig. 5 is a fragmentary end elevation; Fig. 6 is a fragmentary detail section on the line 6-6 of Fig. 3; Fig. 7 is a detail section on the line 'I-! of Fig. 1; Fig. 8 is a fragmentary sectional elevation of the apparatus, and Fig. 9 is an enlarged detail View of a novel connection forming part of the apparatus.

In its illustrated form the machine is provided with a frame consisting of spaced, parallel upright side members ill and a base-plate H extending between and connecting said side members I U, the latter in addition serving as supports for a horizontal bed-plate l2 located at a distance above the base-plate 16, as shown in Figs. 2, 4 and 5. The side members H! of the frame are continued upwardly in the form of supports or arms I3 which project horizontally in spaced parallel relation over the bed-plate l2 and have their free ends connected by means of a transverse guide plate Hi removably secured in position in any suitable manner as by means of bolts l5.

As shown in Fig. 2, the guide plate I4 is designed to function as a vertical guide for an at its lower end is provided with a stamping or pressure member I! of any suitable type and fixed in place in any conventional way, the arrangement being such that said upper carrier i6 is vertically slidable relatively to said guide plate 14, as will appear more fully hereinafter. For the purpose of vertically reciprocating the upper carrier l3 and the stamping or pressure member H, in the operation of the machine, said carrier is supported upon a head l8, preferably so as to be vertically adjustable relatively thereto. The adjustment of the upper carrier IE on the head I8 may be effected in any suitable manner, as for instance, by providing the carrier 2| with a lug ill in which an adjusting screw 20 is rotatably mounted, and with a second lug 2! arranged to serve as a bearing projection for the lower end of said screw; it will be understood that suitable provision is made to prevent lengthwise movement of the adjusting screw 20 in the lug 19, without interfering with the rotation of said screw 20 therein. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, a hand wheel 23 or equivalent device may be provided on the adjusting screw 20 to facilitate the manipulation thereof. passes through and is in threaded engagement with the head l8 so that an operation of said screw 20 will slidably adjust the carrier [6 on said head 18 in vertical directions; as shown in Fig. 2, one or more set screws 24 or any equivalent suitable means may be provided for fixing the upper carrier [6 in an adjusted position on the head I8.

In the illustrated example the head l8 and the upper carrier IS with the stamping or pressure member I! thereon is vertically reciprocated in synchronism with the associated elements of the apparatus by means of a rocking lever 25 pivoted at 26 and having its one end pivotally connected at 21 with said head I8, as shown in Fig. 2; for the purpose of rocking the lever 25 on its pivot 26, the other end of said lever 25 may carry a roller 28 projecting into a cam groove 29 of a cam disk 30 fixed upon a shaft 3| suitably journalled in the arms l3. In order to permit the upper carrier l6 and its associated elements to reciprocate in a straight vertical path in the guide plate M without jamming as a result of the rocking of the lever 25 in an arc, the pivot 26 may be carried by members 32 which depend from a pivot 33 mounted on the arms l3, as shown in Figs. 2 and 4. It may be desirable at times to vary the vertical movements of the stamping or pressure member I! for the purpose for instance of adjusting the effective pressure developed thereby; the pivot 33 in the form of a shaft journalled in the arms 13 may accordingly be provided with eccentrics 34 located within circular bearing rings 35 with which the members 32 in such case are provided. As illustrated in Fig. 1, the means for actuating the eccentrics 34 may consist of an operating lever 36 pivoted at 31 on an arm l3 and connected by means of a link 38 with a crank-arm The aforesaid screw 20 anism.

39 which is fixed upon and projects radially from the pivot shaft 33.

As shown in Fig. 2, the bed plate 12 is provided with an opening 40 beneath and in registry with the stamping or pressing member ll, the latter being located in vertical registry with a lower carrier 4| adapted to reciprocate in opposed relation to the upper carrier l5, as shown'in Fig. 2. The lower carrier 4| is vertically slidable in a stationary upright guide frame 42 suitably secured in proper position between the side members I!) as by means of supporting flanges 42 bolted to said side members ill, as shown in Fig. 5; said lower carrier 4| may be vertically reciprocated in said guide frame 42 in properly timed relation with the upper carrier l5 and its associated elements, by means of any suitable mech- In the illustrated example the latter consists of a rocking lever 44 carried by a shaft 45 rotatably mounted on the side members H3 and having its one end forked at 45 for slidable engagement with a bearing block 4'! fixed upon a pivot pin 48 journalled between lugs 49 forming part of orsecured to the lower carrier 4 I, as shown in Fig. 2. Any suitable means may be embodied in the apparatus for operatively rocking the lever 44 as by providing the latter at its opposite end with a roller 5|) projecting into the cam groove 5| of a cam disk 52 mounted to rotate with a shaft 53 journalled on the side members H) in any convenient manner.

The novel machine is designed to operate with printing or impression slugs 54 which carry the individual items to be printed, as exemplified for instance by means of different persons, in the form of type cast upon the upper faces of said slugs in any customary way; it will be understood that the type on the slugs 54 is always of a character to accord or harmonize with the previously printed matter to which the items are to be added by the apparatus. The slugs 54 are fed and bodily transferred to the lower carrier 4| for movement therewith, and removed therefrom in succession in a manner to be more fully described hereinafter. The lower carrier is suitably constructed to removably accommodate the successive slugs 54 on its upper end and to convey the said slugs 54 in individual succession to and from the printing position in which, in co-operation with the stamping or pressure member impressions are made thereby. In the illustrated example, the lower carrier 4| is accordingly provided with gripping means of suitable construction and arrangement to provide the desired results. As shown in the drawings, the aforesaid gripping means may consist of a plate or stop 55 fixed upon the lower carrier 4| and projecting above the upper face thereof, and a movable clamping member 56 located in spaced opposed relation to said plate 55 and carried by a frame 51 pivoted at 58 between the lugs 49 of said carrier 4|, as shown in Fig. 3; the clamping member 56 is resiliently controlled by a spring 59 which bears against the frame 5! and yieldingly forces said clamping member 56 in a direction toward the plate or stop 55. With this arrangement, the spring 59 by acting on the frame 5'! serves to force the clamping member 56 into engagement with the successive slugs 54 for clamping the same against the plate or stop 55 during the printing operations. The successive slugs 54 will be removed at the proper time from the lower carrier 4| in the manner to be more fully set forth hereinafter, it being understood that the spring controlled clamping member 56 will not prevent such .and during the actual printing operation.

removal, although it firmly secures successive slugs 54 in place on the lower carrier 4| for movement therewith to and from the printing position In certain classes of personalized printing work, the items to be added to the previously printed matter include items which are to be repeated in combination with the impressions made by successive slugs 54. To provide for such contingencies, the lower carrier 4| may be provided at its upper end with a fixed vertical projection or plate located in spaced parallel relation to the plate or stop and forming therewith a groove for the reception of type or slugs 6| secured in place in any suitable manner as by one or more set screws 52. To still further increase the facilities of the apparatus, the clamping member 56 may itself be provided at its upper end with a groove for the accommodation of additional type or slugs 53; the latter also may be fixed in position in the groove of the clamping member 56 in any convenient manner as by means of one or more set screws 64. It will be understood that the type or slugs 6| and 63 exemplify the matter which is to be repeated in association with successive slugs 54, and that in the illustrated example each operation of the lower carrier 4| to the printing position will result in impressions from the type or slugs 5| and 53 in predetermined relation to the coincidental impression from the slugs 54 which are successively transferred to the lower carrier 4|. The type or slugs 6| and 63 will always make impressions according or harmonizing with the impressions made by the slugs 54 and with the previously printed matter to which the items are added.

In order to relieve the mechanism whereby the lower carrier 4| is reciprocated, from excessive strains during the successive printing operations,

and to enable the lower carrier 4| to resist the pressure developed during the actual printing steps to thereby produce uniform and efiiclent impressions from the successive slugs 4| and from the type or slugs 5| and 63 when the latter are present, the machine is provided with means whereby said carrier 4| is supported from below during each printing stage. In the illustrated example the aforesaid supporting means is exemplified by an arm 65 fixed upon a pivot shaft 66 journalled in the supporting flanges 42 as shown in Fig. 5, and provided with a shoulder 51 arranged to extend beneath the lower carrier 4| when the latter is in its raised position, said arm 65 having its upper end movable in an opening 58 in the guide frame 42 as shown in Figs. 2 and 5. The arm 65 may be automatically operated in any suitable manner to remove the shoulder 5'! from beneath the raised carrier 4| at the proper time, as for instance by means of a link 69 pivotally connected at 10 with the aforesaid arm 65 and at H with a lug l2 fixed upon a pivot pin 13 which also carries a tripping pawl 14 and is rotatably mounted in a bearing '15 upon the base plate H; the tripping pawl 14 projects into the path of a projection T6 carried for instance by a cam disk ll fixed upon the shaft 53, as shown in Fig. 2.

The apparatus further includes a container for a supply of slugs 54, said container being illustrated in the form of a horizontal chute 78 extending lengthwise of the one side member Ii], as shown in Fig. 3, and dimensioned transversely in accordance with the length of the slugs 54 which said chute 18 is designed to accommodate. The chute 18 is suitably supported in the machine and terminates at its delivery end in registry withtransferring means and adjacent toan open-. ing I9 formed in the aforesaid side member I9, the inner wall a of said chute I8 being provided with a transverse extension 99 as illustrated in Fig. 3. In the example shown, a guide member 8| is located and suitably supportedin transverse relation to the delivery end of the chute I8 and projects through the opening 19 beneath the transverse extension 89 of the inner Wall a. of said chuteIB into delivery relation to the'lower carrier 4I when the latter is in its normal lowered position as shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 5. In practice the bottom of the chute I8 may be transversely extended to form the guide member 8| as illustrated in Fig. 3. The guide member 8| is preferably provided with an upright guide wall 82 which extends lengthwise thereof and across the delivery end of the chute I8 at a distance therefrom with the one end of said guide wall 82 terminating in spaced parallel relation to the transverse extension 89 of the inner wall a. of said chute I8 as shown in Fig. 3; in the preferred arrangement the distance between the extension 89 and the guide wall 82 corresponds approximately to the transverse dimension of the individual slugs 54 to provide a passage for directing the latter to the lower-carrier 4|. With the aforesaid arrangement, the guide member 8| and the guide wall 8?. serve to guide and maintain the transferring means in its intended operative path, as will appear more clearly hereinafter.

The aforesaid transferring means, in its illustrated form, consists of a member 83 slidably mounted on a guide rod 84 extending lengthwise in parallel relation to the guide wall 82 and mounted in position thereon in any convenient manner as by means of brackets 85, as illustrated in Figs. 3 and 5. The member 83 carries an upwardly projecting arm 89 which is secured to a block 81 slidable in a slot 88 extending lengthwise of the guide wall 82, said block 81 in turn being fastened to a transfer device or plate 89 slidable along the inner face of the guide wall 82 as shown in Fig. 3; to facilitate the assembling and, if necessary, the disassembling of the parts, the connection between the block 81 and the transfer device or plate 89 is preferably of an easily detachable type as exemplified for instance by the headed screw 99 shown in Fig. 8.

'- Any suitable mechanism may be provided for reciprocating the member 83 lengthwise of the guide rod 84 to correspondingly operate the transfer device or plate 89 lengthwise of the guide wall 82 in transverse relation to the chute I8 to transfer successive slugs 54 from said chute I8 to a printing position on the lower carrier 4| for movementtherewith, as will be more fully described hereinafter. In the preferred arrangement, the aforesaid mechanism includes a lever 9| pivoted at 92 upon a bracket 93 suitaby mounted upon the one side wall I9, said lever 9| being pivotally connected with the previously mentioned transferring means in a novel manner to permit the connection to be automatically broken without injury to the parts if this should become necessary for any reason, such as the development of unexpected resistance to the operation of said transferring means. In the illustrated example, the lever 9| is provided at its free end with a hooked detent or latch 94 pivoted at 95 on said lever 9| and yieldingly controlled by a suitable spring 99 as illustrated in Fig. 9. In the normal operative condition of the connection, the detent or latch 94 engages a pin or projection 91 I99 in the groove I9I.

carried by an arm 98 pivotally mounted at 99 upon a lug'I99 depending from the member 83 as shown in Figs. 8 and 9; to increase the yieldability of the connection and to thereby avoid premature or undesired breakage thereof, the arm 98 is. preferably influenced by a coil spring |9| or its equivalent as illustrated in Fig. 8. The lever 9| is oscillated on its pivot 93 in a manner to reciprocate the transfer device or plate 89 in its operative path lengthwise of the guide wall 82, by means of a cam I92 fixed upon the shaft 53 and including a cam-groove I93 for the accommodation of a roller I94 rotatably mounted upon the lever 9 I as shown in Fig. 1 and by dotted lines in Fig. 3.

In addition to the parts so far described, the machine includes intermittently actuated means for advancing the supply of slugs 54 in the chute I8 in successive steps in a manner to bring successive forward terminal slugs 54 into operative relation to the transferring means to permit said slugs 54 to be individually shifted from said chute I8 to a printing position on the lower carrier 4| for operative movement therewith.

As shown by way of example in the drawings, the aforesaid intermittently actuated means includes an advancing member I92 located centrally in the chute I8 in transverse relation thereto and arranged to engage the rearward terminal slug 54 of the supply contained in said chute I4 as shown in Fig. 3. The advancing member I92 is riveted or otherwise fastened to the depending section of an angular bracket I93 carried by a lever I94 extending horizontally in transverse horizontal relation to the chute I8 and across and outwardly beyond the outer Wall b thereof as illustrated in Figs. 3 and 6; to facilitate manipulation of the lever I94 for the purpose to be more fully set forth hereinafter, said lever I 94 preferably terminates at its outer end in or is provided thereat with a suitable handle I95. At an intermediate'point in registry with the outer wall I) of the chute I8 the lever I9 is secured to a slide block I96 which depends therefrom into a groove I91 extending lengthwise of said outer wall I) as shown in Fig. 3; the arrangement is such that the slide block I98 is capable of readily traveling lengthwise of the groove I9I as will appear more fully further on in the description. A plate I98 is conveniently fastened in surface engagement with the upper face of the outer wall I) of the chute I9 and is provided with a longitudinal slot I99 preferably of relatively less transverse width than the corresponding dimension of the groove I9I; as shovm in Fig. 6, the slot I99 is in off-set registry with the groove I91 and in combination therewith provides an undercut groove as is clearly shown in Fig. 6. At the same time the slide block I96 is provided along its lower edge with a longitudinal rib I99 which projects beneath the plate I98 and maintains the slide block In addition to its other functions, the slide block I99 serves as a fulcrum for the lever I94 to permit manual adjustment of the advancing member I92 lengthwise of the chute I8 to different positions therein for proper co-operation with varying members of slugs 54 in said chute I8; if for any reason'it should become necessary or desirable to remove the slide block I96 from the groove I9I, this may be readily accomplished by properly tilting the lever I94 in a vertical direction to enable the rib I99 to pass upwardly out of the slot I99 of the plate I98.

The feeding mechanism for intermittently advancing the member I92 to correspondingly advance the slugs 54 in the chute I8 is arranged to avoid the development of any feeding strains tending to bind the slugs 54 in said chute I8 or to otherwise interfere with the efficient intermittent advance thereof. In its illustrated example, the aforesaid feeding mechanism accordingly includes an endless sprocket chain H0, the upper run of which is movable in a slot III extending lengthwise of the bottom of the chute I8 in registry with the longitudinal center line thereof. As shown in Fig. 6, the aforesaid upper run of said chain H0 does not project upwardly beyond said bottom of the chute I8 and is supported against sagging on a plate H2 removably secured to the lower surface of the bottom of said chute 18 in registry with the slot III thereof; in the preferred construction the plate H2 may be provided with a longitudinal recess H3 for the accommodation of said upper run of the sprocket chain H0. It will be understood that the sprocket chain H0 may be replaced by equivalent means if this should be desired, and that said chain I I0, while preferred, is intended to exemplify endless devices suitable for the purpose.

The sprocket chain I I0 passes over a relatively small sprocket wheel H4 carried by a shaft H5 journalled near one end of the slot H I in a bearing frame I I 6 depending from the guide member 8| at a distance from the guide wall 82 thereof. In addition the sprocket chain I I0 further passes over a second sprocket wheel I I! which, in the illustrated example, is of larger diameter than the sprocket wheel I I4 and is mounted on a shaft I I8 journalled in bearings H9 depending from the chute 18 near the opposite end of the slot II I, as shown in Fig. 1. It will be understood that the sprocket wheels H4 and H! are both located in registry with the slot III so as to maintain and shift the upper run of the sprocket chain I I0 therein in the intended manner.

For the purpose of detachably connecting the advancing member I02 and its associated elements with the upper run of the sprocket chain I I0 or its equivalent, the depending section of the angular bracket I03 may be provided with a downwardly projecting finger or lug I20; the latter is adapted to be inserted into a link of the chain H0 at the selected point of the upper run thereof at which the connection is to be made as illustrated in Figs. 6 and 8.

Any suitable mechanism may be provided for intermittently actuating the sprocket chain H0 or its equivalent to cause the upper run thereof to correspondingly actuate the advancing member I02 in a manner to effect the intermittent advance of the slugs 54 toward guide member SI for successive delivery to the lower carrier 4I. As illustrated in Fig. 1 the aforesaid mechanism may consist of a ratchet wheel I2I fixed upon the shaft H8 and arranged to be rotatably actuated by means of a pawl I22. The latter is pivotally connected at I23 with an arm I24 projecting radially outward from a bearing I 25 illustrated in Fig. '7 and loosely mounted on the shaft II 8; gravity may be relied upon to maintain the pawl I22 in operative engagement with the ratchet wheel I 2i, or a spring may be provided for this purpose in any conventional manner. A second arm I26 extends radially downward from the bearing I25 and in the illustrated example is pivotally connected at I2I with a link I28 telescopically combined with an operating member I29; a coil spring I30 is located between an annular flange I3I of the link I28 and a corresponding flange I32 of the operating member I29 and serves to impart resiliency to the bipartite actuating device I28I29. The operating member I29 is formed with a slot I33 whereby said member I29 is slidably mounted on the shaft 53, and carries a roller I34 for periodic engagement by a cam I35 fixed upon said shaft 53 as shown in Fig. 1. With this arrangement, the cam I35 will be operated in a rotary path and by periodical engagement with the roller I35 will force the bi-partite actuating device I28- I23 to the left in Fig. 1 to rock the bearing I25 on the shaft H8 and swing the arm I24 in a direction to cause the pawl I 22 to rotatably operate the ratchet I2I one step. This step rotation will be imparted to the shaft H8 and sprocket wheel II! and accordingly will cause the upper run of the sprocket chain H0 to move linearly in the slot III and to carry with it the advancing member I02; this movement of the latter will be transmitted to the slugs 54 and will shift the latter lengthwise of the chute I8 to an extent suflicient to bring the front terminal slug 54 into position for transfer to the lower carrier 4|. As the cam I35 passes beyond the roller I34 the parts will be moved in the reverse direction by the action of the spring I30 and thereby will cause the pawl I22 to travel over the teeth of the ratchet wheel I2I in a movement of recovery ready for the next operative step to again advance the upper run of the chain H0 in the slot III. To control the aforesaid movement of recovery of the pawl I22 and its associated elements, the bearing I25 may be provided with a plate I25 lying in surface engagement therewith and provided with a third radially projecting arm I36 arranged to engage a fixed stop I3'I to thereby arrest the return movement of the parts as shown in Fig. 1; to provide for adjustment of the arm I36 the plate I25 may include an arouate slot I38 for the accommodation of a set screw I30 carried by the bearing member I 25 and adapted to maintain the plate I25 in its adjusted operative relation to said ratchet wheel I2I. In order to maintain the sprocket chain H0 or its equivalent against undesired slackness, a suitable tension means may be provided. In the drawings, this tension means is exemplified by a tension roller I40 over which the lower run of the chain H0 or its equivalent passes as illustrated in Fig. 1; the tension roller I40 is carried by a shaft I4I adjustably mounted in a slotted frame I42 depending from the chute I8 as shown in Fig. 1, suitable provision being made for fixing the roller I40 and its shaft MI in an adjusted position.

In the instant machine after a printing operation has been effected by a given slug 54, the latter is removed from the printing position on the lower carrier M by the next successive slug 54 as it is shifted into printing position on said carrier M in the manner to be more fully set forth hereinafter.

For the purpose of disposing of the slugs 54 in an orderly manner as said slugs are removed from the lower carrier 4|, the machine is provided with an inclined chute I43 suitably mounted on the machine in receiving relation to the lower carrier 4! when the latter is in its normal position, and in delivery communication with an inclined trough I44 or its equivalent; as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the chute I43 and trough I44 extend at an inclination downwardly from the one side member I0 so that successive slugs 54 subsequent to their removal from the lower carrier M will slide downwardly through the chute I43 to a position in the trough I44. As the slugs 54 are thus successively deposited in the trough I44 said slugs are progressively shifted lengthwise of said trough for removal therefrom at will in any convenient manner, In theillustrated example of the machine, this shifting of the slugs 54 is accomplished by means of a pushing member I45 normally located at one end of the trough 244 in operative relation to the chute I43 as shown in Figs. 3 and 5. The pushing member E45 is carriedby a member I46 fixed upon a support I41 provided with a recess for the accommodation of a rib I48 located upon the lower surface of the trough I44 for guiding said support I41 in its operative movements; the support I41 further is slidably mounted upon a guide rod I49 projecting froma supporting member I56 whereby the chute I43 andtrough I44 are supported as shown in Figs. 3 and 5. A link II has its one end pivotally connected at I52 with the support I41 and its other end pivotally secured at I53 upon a block I54 slidable in the groove I55 of a crank member I56 fixed upon the shaft 53 as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3. With this construction, the extent of reciprocation of the link -I5I and the operative movements of the pushing member I45 may be selectively varied to meet existing conditions by adjusting the position of the block I54 in the groove I55 of the crank member I56. Suitable provision is made for fixing the block I54 in its adjusted position in the groove I55; for instance, the pivot I53 may be in the form of a threaded pin adapted to receive a nut I51 which clamps the block I54 in place without interfering with the pivotal movements of the contiguous end of the link I-5I on the pivot I53.

In practice it sometimes happens that the slugs 54 in the chute 18 temporarily cling to each other and interfere with the transfer of a front terminal slug 54 by the transfer device 89 {to the lower carrier 4I. To overcome this interference,

if and when it develops, the aparatus is provided with means for periodically impacting successive front terminal slugs -.54 in the chute 18 or in the guide member 8% to thereby agitate said slugs 54 and disconnect any slugs 54 which may temporarily cling together. In the illustrated example, the aforesaid agitating means comprises a lever I58 pivoted at I59 upon one of the flanges 42 as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 5; the lever -,I58 at its lower end carries an impact screw I 66 or equivalent projection, located in the path of .a bracket IE-I rigidly secured to the arm .65 as illustrated in Figs. 2' and 5. At its upper free end the lever I58 carries a pin I62 which is movable in a slot I63 provided in the one side member I6, as shown in Fig. 2, said pin I62 projecting through said slot I63 into the guide member 8I. With this arrangement, each time the arm 65 is pivotally actuated to release the lower carrier 4| for downward movement, the bracket .I6I will strike the impact screw I66 or its equivalentand swing the lever I58 on its pivot I59 to cause the pin I62 to impact and agitate the front terminal slug 54 prior to its engagement by the transfer device 83; the aforesaid impact of the pin I62 serves to agitate the slugs 54 to an extent sufiicientto disconnect the front terminal slugs ;54 if it should adhere to the next succeeding slug 54. v

The machine further includesmeans for inking the type locatedon the slug 5,4 which is located on the lower carrier 4I for;movement therewith to the printing position, said inking means being of any suitable type and operating in properly timed relation with the other elements of said machine. In its illustrated form, the inking means comprises a frame I64 mounted on rollers I65 adapted to travel lengthwise of guide rails I66 located in opposed parallel relation and fixed upon the inner faces of the side members II) as shown in- Figs. 2 and 4. Inking rolls I61 and I68 are rotatably supported upon the frame I64 by being journalled in the side members thereof, while a third roller I68 is mounted on said frame in a specific manner to be more fully described hereinafter. The inking rolls I61 and I68 are continuously in rolling engagement with actuating rolls I16 while the inking roll I69, in its operative position, is also in rollingcontact with one of said actuating rolls I16 as illustrated in Fig. 2. The actuating rolls I16 are carried by shafts I1I which are rotatably mounted preferably in upwardly open recesses formed in the side members of the frame I64, so as to be readily removable therefrom at will. The shafts I1I of the actuating rolls I16 carry suitable pinions which mesh with stationary racks I12 secured in proper position in the apparatus in any convenient manner. With this arrangement, as the frame I64 is pro pelled lengthwise of the guide rails I66, the aforesaid pinions will roll along and be rotated by the racks I12 to correspondingly rotate the actuating rolls I16; as a result the latter because of their frictional surface engagement with the inking rolls I61, I68 and I69, will cause said inking rolls to be rotated upon their several axes to thereby bring about an efficient inking of said rolls I61, I68 and I69 and an efficient distribution of the ink thereby upon the type of the slug 54 clamped upon the lower carrier 4| at the time. Ink is supplied to the surface of the roll I69 by means of a transfer roll I13 when the frame I64 is in the retracted position illustrated in Fig. 2, said transfer roll I13 being removably journalled in bearing brackets I14 and arranged .to receive a surface coating of ink from a distributing roll I15 removably journalled in an ink reservoir I16 supported upon an auxiliary bed plate I11 extending between and suitably secured to the side members L6 as shown in Fig. 4. To regulate and control the coating of ink picked up by the distributing roll I15 from the supply in the reservoir I16, a doctor or scraper I18 may be mounted in the reservoir I16 in tangential surface engagement with the roll .I 15 as illustrated in dotted lines in Fig. 2; the doctor ,or scraper I18 may be controlled by an adjusting screw I19 for the purpose of adjusting the active edge of said doctor I18 relatively to the surface of .the roll I15. It will be understood that in the operation of the inking means, the ink is distributed by the roll I15 to the transfer roll I13 and by the latter to the inking roll I69 each time the latter contacts with said roll I13 in the retracted position of the frame I64; the inking rolls I61 and I68 in turn receive coatings of ink through the medium of the actuating rolls I10 as will be apparent.

In the illustrated example of the apparatus thedistributing roll I15 is intermittently rotated in the reservoir I16,oy means of a pinion I86 fixed upon the shaft of the roll I15 in mesh with a second pinion I8I carried by a shaft I82 suitably journaledin the one side member ID. The pinion ,I8I is actuated by meansof a ratchet wheel I83 ratchet wheel conventional manner. The lever I85 is loosely mounted. for pivotal movement on the shaft I82 and is provided with a longitudinal slot I86 as shown in Fig. l; a link I87 is pivotally connected at one end with the lever I85 by means of a suitable clamping means adjustable lengthwise of the slot I86 and including an easily manipulated nut I88 whereby the clamping means is fixed in its adjusted position in the slot I 86 without interference with the pivotal movements of the contiguous end of the link I87. At its opposite end, the latter is pivotally connected at I89 with an upright operating member I99 pivotally attached at I9I to one of the side members I9 and carrying aroller I92 at its upper end, as illustrated in Fig. l. The operating member I99 is rocked on its pivot I9I by means of a suitable cam I93 fixed upon the shaft 53, provision being made in any conventional manner to maintain the roller I92 in rolling contact with said cam I78. With the illustrated arrangement the cam I93 as it rotates with the shaft 53 will rock the operating member I99 on its pivot I9I and through the medium of the link I87 will correspondingly oscillate the lever 585. The pawl I84 will thereby be caused to alternately develop operative movements and return movements whereby the ratchet wheel I83 is rotatively operated in successive steps.

This periodical operation of the ratchet wheel.

I83 will be communicated to the pinion I8I and in turn transmitted thereby to the pinion I89 whereby the distributing roll I75 will be intermittently rotated in the reservoir I76. The eX- tent of rotative movement imparted to the distributing roll I75 each time the pawl I84 actuates, the ratchet wheel I88 may be varied and regulated at will by shifting the clamping means I88 lengthwise of the slot I86.

To still further increase the efliciency of the inking mechanism, the inking rolls I67, I68 and I69, during the reciprocation cf the frame I64, are caused to pass over and in rolling contact with the upper surface of an inking platen I94 whereby the ink is evenly distributed over the peripheral surfaces of said inking rolls I67, I68 and I69. The platen I94 is carried by an upright shaft I95 rotatably mounted in an upright bearing I96 projecting upwardly from the auxiliary bed plate I77, as shown in Figs. 2 and 4. For the purpose of intermittently rotating the platen I94, the shaft I95 carries a ratchet pinion I97 arranged to be rotatively actuated in successive steps by means of an operating pawl I98 shown best in Fig. 3. The pawl I98 is pivotally mounted on the upper end of an upright lever I99 pivoted at 299 upon lugs 29I projecting upwardly from the base-plate II, as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 4; any suitable type of spring as shown for instance at 292 may be provided for yieldingly maintaining the pawl I98 in engagement with the ratchet pinion I97. The lever I99, in the arrangement shown in the drawings, is provided with a cam projection 293 of suitable form arranged to be acted on by a roller 294 rotatably carried by the rocking lever 44, each time the latter operates the lower carrier 4| in Vertical directions; a coil spring 295 surrounds the pivot 299 of the lever I 99 and develops a tension on the latter tending to hold said lever I99 in operative engagement with the roller 299 at all times. It will be obvious with the arrangement set forth that, as the rocking lever 44 is actuated to vertically operate the lower carrier 4|, the roller 294 by acting on the cam projection 293 will rock the lever I99 on its pivot 299 and accordingly will nection with said racks I72 at the time the frame I64 is near the terminus of its rearward movement. Unless provision is made to temporarily release said train of rolls from the restraining effect of its geared connection with the racks I72, it is quite obvious that the operation of the distributing roll I75 by its actuating mechanism will be opposed when the frame I64 reached a position in which the transfer roll I73 engages the inking roll I69, and that injury to the mechanism or disturbance of its operation may result. To avoid this possibility the inking roll I69 is journalled in bearing members 296 pivoted upon the side members of the frame I64 and carrying rollers 297 which throughout the major portion of the movements of said frame I64 and its associated elements are arranged in rolling engagement with members 298 suitably fixed in place and extending lengthwise of the racks I72 as illustrated in Fig. 2. The bearing members 296 are acted on in any convenient manner by springs tending to force said rollers 297 in an upward direction. As shown in Fig. 2, the members 269 are formed with recesses 299 located in registry with the paths of travel of the rollers 297 and adapted to receive said rollers when the frame I64 reaches the end of its return movement. When the rollers 297 pass into said recesses 269 the bearing members 296 will be pivotally actuated by their springs in a direction to shift the inking roll I69 out of surface contact with the one actuating roll I79 so that at this stage the inking roll I69, the transfer r011 I73 and the distributing roll I75 are no longer in geared connection with the racks I72 and accordingly are free to rotate independently of the rolls I67, I68 and I79. As soon as the rollers 297 pass out of the recesses 299 when the frame I64 begins an operative movement, the bearing members 296 will be pivotally operated against the tension of their springs to return the inking roll I69 into surface engagement with the one actuating roll I79 and to restore it as part of the train of rolls in geared connection with the racks I72; it will be understood that when this occurs, the inking roll I69 has been carried out of engagement with the transfer roll I73 by the forward movement of the frame I64 on the guide rails I66.

The reciprocation of the frame I64 on the rails I66 in proper operative synchronism with the other elements of the machine may be accomplished by means of any suitable mechanism, an example of which is shown in the drawings.

In its illustrated form this mechanism comprises racks 2I9 slidably mounted in guides 2II supported at opposite sides of the machine on the respective side members I9 in any suitable manner. The racks 2I9 are connected with the side members of the frame I64 by preferably releasable couplings or links 2I2 pivoted at 2I3 on said side members of the frame I 64 as shown in Fig. 2. The racks 2I9 furthermore mesh with toothed segments 2I4 fixed upon a shaft 2I5 journalled in the side members I9 and carrying a lug 2I6 which is pivotally connected at 2 IT with an operating member 2|8 operated by a suitable cam on the shaft 53, said cam being arranged to rock the segments 2|4 through the medium of the operating member 2 I8 in a manner to reciprocate the racks 2| and thereby correspondinglyoperate the frame I64 and its associated elements.

The machine as a whole may be operated by any conventional form of driving mechanism as exemplified by the belt 2I9 and pulley 220, the latter being fixed upon a drive shaft 22I rotatably mounted on the side members I0. The shaft 22I carries a pinion in mesh with a gear 222 fixed upon a countershaft 223 journalled in the side members I0 and provided with a pinion 224 arranged in mesh with gears 225 and 226 secured respectively upon the shafts 3| and 53 as indicated diagrammatically in Fig. 2.

Forthe purpose of simplifying the explanation of the operation of the apparatus and without in any'sense intending thereby to limit the scope thereof, it will be assumed that the slugs 54' are provided with lines of type rep-resenting the names of selected individuals. It will be understood that the aforesaid lines of type are located on the slugs 54, in each instance, so as to occupy the proper printing position when said slugs 54 are in place on the lower carrier 4| for movement therewith to effect the impressions; as previously stated, the type on said slugs 54 is always of a character to accord or harmonize with the previously printed matter to which the items are to be added by the apparatus.

In practice a supply of slugs 54 iscontained in the chute I8 in adjacent relation to each other, with the advancing member I02 in engagement with the rearmost terminal slug 54 as shown in Fig. 3. If it should be necessary to disconnect the advancing member I02 from the chain H0 or its equivalent, in order to adjust said member I02 into contact with the aforesaid terminal slug 54, this may be easily accomplished by simply pressing downwardly on the handle I05 in Fig. 6. This willrock the lever I04 with the slide block I06 acting as a fulcrum in the groove I01 and consequently will lift the finger or lug I20 out of engagement with the upper run of the sprocket chain IIO. With the parts in this condition, the slide block I06 is free to slide lengthwise of the groove I01 to thereby shift the advancing member I02 lengthwise of the chute I8 into proper engagement with the rear most terminal slug 54. When this adjustment has been effected, the lever I04 is rocked in the returndirection .to re-insert the finger or lug I20 into a link of said upper run of the chain N0; the advancing member I02 is thus again connected with the feeding mechanismwhereby the slugs 54 are intermittently advanced in the chute I8 for successive transfer to the lower carrier 4|. Withthe aforesaid arrangement, the advancing member I02 may readily be adjusted to any position in the chute I8 for proper cooperation with the slugs 54 regardless of the number thereof within the capacity of said chute I8. If for any reason it should be desired or become necessary to completely remove the advancing member I02 and its associated elements from the apparatus, this may be done by swinging. the handle I05 downwardly in Fig. 6 to a position' which permits the rib I06 of the slide block I06 to pass upwardly out of the slot I09.

In describing the operation, it will be assumed I that in Figs. 2 and 3 the apparatus is in a posi tion subsequent to the printing of the name or its equivalentcarrie'd: by the slug 54 which is in printing position on the lower carrier 4|; it will be understood that the associated slugs or type 6| and 63, if present on the carrier 4|, will coincidentally have 'made impressions in associated relation to the impression made by the particular slug 54. At this stage as shown in Fig. 3, the transfer device or plate 89 is in position to transfer the next succeeding slug 54 from the guide member BI to the printing position on the lower carrier 4| and at the same time to remove the preceding slug 4| therefrom.

As the apparatus continues in operation, the lever 0| will be swung on its pivot 92, by the action of the cam-groove I03 on the roller I04, in a direction to shift the transfer device or plate 89 lengthwise of the guide wall 82 in a downward direction in Fig. 3. This movement of the transfer device or plate 89 will be transmitted to the front terminal slug 54 and will shift the latter through the space between the extension 80 and guide wall 82 into end to end contact with the preceding terminal slug 54 which at this stage is carried by the lower carrier 4|. As these operations continue, the previously printed slug 54 will be forced from the lower carrier 4| and will finally be replaced thereon by the next succeeding slug 54, as will be apparent; as the preceding slug 54 is thus removed from the lower carrier 4|, it will pass down the inclined chute I43 into the inclined trough I44. In proper synchronism with the other mechanism, the pushing member I45 will be actuated by the link I5|, the crank member I56 and associated elements to shift the slug 54 lengthwise of the trough I44 out of the way of the next succeeding slug when the latter is likewise removed from the lower carrier 4|. It will be understood that the operative force of the transfer device or plate 89 whereby the removal of one slug 54 from the lower carrier 4| by the next succeeding slug 54 is accomplished, is sufficient to overcome the resilient clamping action of the clamping member 56; it is further to be understood that the resistance to the removal of a slug 54 from the lower carrier 4| interposed by the clamping member 56 is not sufficient to break the connection between the lever 9| and the transfer device or plate 89. If, however, for any reason unexpected resistance to the transfer of one slug 54 from the guide member 8| to the lower carrier 4| and the coincidental removal therefrom of the next preceding slug 54 should develop, the pin or projection 91 will be automatically disconnected from the detent 94 which will yield under such circumstances as is clearly apparent in Fig. 9; when this occurs, the transferring means is automatically disconnected from the operating means and injury to the parts is accordingly prevented. It is, of course, obvious that the detent 94 must be again connected with the pin 91 before the operation of the apparatus is continued to thereby restore the connection between the transfer device 89 and the operating lever 9|.

When the replacement of the slugs on the lower carrier 4| has taken place and the transfer device or plate 89 hasbeen returned to its normal position to await subsequent operation by the cam groove I03 and. cooperating elements, the apparatus is ready to eifect the printing step.

Previous to. the aforesaid operations or at any appropriate period thereof, the sheet of paper or equivalent material on which the printing is to be done by theslugs or type 6| and 63, if present, and by the particular slug 54 located at the time on the lower carrier 4|, has been placed in proper position upon the bed plate I2 with the space in which the items of said slugs 54, 6| and 63, are to be printed in registry with the opening 49 therein.

In proper synchronism with the above operations, the operating member 2I8 operated by its cam in the shaft 53 will rock the shaft 2|5 to swing the segments 2I4 in a direction to cause the racks 2I6 to gradually shift the frame I64 lengthwise of the guide rails I66 toward the left in Fig. 2. During this travel of the frame I64, the inking rolls I61, I68 and I66 to which ink has been transferred from the transfer roll I13, will be rotated about their axes through the medium of the actuating rolls I16 operated by their pinions in co-operation with the racks I12; in the movement of the frame I64 lengthwise of the guide rails I66 in the manner described, the inking rolls I61, I68 and I69 will pass over and in surface contact with the inking platen I94 so that the surface of said rolls I61, I68 and I69 will become evenly coated with printing ink. The operations are so timed that the inking rolls I61, I68 and I69 will successively pass over and in contact with the line of type located on the slug 54 which is fixed upon the lower carrier 4| at the time, and over and in contact with the type of the adjacent slugs 6| and 63, if present, to apply a coating of ink to said lines of type for printing purposes; the frame I64 and the elements carried thereby will be shifted in a return direction to a sufficient degree to move the inking rolls I61, I68 and I69 backward beyond the vertical path of the carrier 4| before upward movement of the latter has commenced. After the inking of the slug or slugs on the carrier 4| has been finished, the rocking levers 25 and 44 will be rocked on their pivots in inverse relation by the cam grooves of their respective operating cams. As a result the upper carrier I6 will be moved downwardly to correspondingly move the pressure member I1, while the lower carrier 4| with the slug 54, and the slugs 6| and 63, if present, will simultaneously be adjusted in an upward direction to carry said slugs to the printing position. The arrangement is such that the stamping or pressure member I1 will engage the upper surface of the paper or other material which is to receive the impressions at approximately the same moment that the lines of type on the slugs located on the carrier 4| engage the lower surface of said sheet at the point at which the impression or impressions are to be made. It will be understood that the upper carrier I1 has previously been adjusted by means of the adjusting screw 20 or its equivalent to set the stamping or pressure member I1 in a position for co-operation with the printing slug 54 and the associated slugs BI and 63, if present, to produce eflicient and satisfactory impressions therefrom. As the lower carrier 4| is moved upwardly, the shoulder 61 of the arm 65 will pass beneath the lower end of said carrier 4| and thereby serve to support the lower carrier 4| from below while the slug 54 and associated slugs 6| and 63 are making impressions so that the operating mechanism is relieved from excess strains during the actual printing operations. If for any reason it should become necessary to temporarily adjust the pressure developed by the stamping or pressure member I1 in opposition to the printing pressure developed by the printing slugs, this adjustment may be accomplished at will by swinging the operating lever 36' on its pivot 31 to rotatably adjust the shaft 33 and eccentrics 34 carried thereby and to thus temporarily change the location of the pivot 26 on which the lever 25 is arranged to swing. When the printing slug 54,

, and associate slugs 6| and 63 have made their impressions on the paper or equivalent material located on the bed plate I2, the pin 16 will engage the tripping pawl 14 which accordingly will be swung on its pivot 13 in a direction to develop a pull upon the link 69 and swing the arm 65 toward the left in Fig. 2 and to thereby remove its shoulder 61 from beneath the lower carrier 4|. Continued operation of the mechanism will rock the levers 25 and 44 in inverse relation in return directions. so that the upper carrier I6 will be moved upwardly while the lower carrier 4| at the same time will be moved downwardly back to the positions shown in Fig. 2, whereupon the cycle of operations described will be repeated. As the shaft 53 is rotated during the operations set forth above, the crank member I56 will rotate therewith and by means of the link |5I and related elements will reciprocate the pushing member I45 at periodic intervals in a manner to advance the slugs 54 accumulated in the trough I44 in successive steps lengthwise thereof; the operative movements of the pushing member I45 to shift the accumulated slugs 54 in the trough I44 are so timed that the end portion of the trough I44 located in registry with the chute I43 will always be free to receive the slugs 54 as they are successively transferred from the lower carrier 4|.

In propersynchronism with the operative steps above set forth, the upper run of the chain H9 is actuated by the pawl I22 and ratchet wheel I2I and their associated elements to shift the advancing member II'IZ lengthwise of the chute 18 to thereby bring the forward terminal slug 54 therein into position for transfer to the lower carrier 4| at the proper time. It will be noted that the force developed by the advancing member I62 is exerted centrally of the supply of slugs 54 in the chute 18; it will further be noted that the slide block I66 in co-operation with the centrally located lug I20 and centrally located upper run of the chain III], prevents the force of the advancing member 12 from being exerted in an unbalanced manner on the slugs 54 and thereby assures a free advance of the latter without any tendency to bind in said chute 18.

It will be understood while the operations described in detail hereinbefore are taking place, that the other parts of the apparatus are being operated in proper synchronism therewith; in other words, the distributing roll I 15 is being rotated in the reservoir I16, the platen I94 is being rotatably actuated on its axis I95, and the lever I58 with its pin I62 is being periodically rocked to separate the terminal slug 54 if it should have temporarily adhered to an adjacent slug.

The machineis extremely simple in construction and operation, and provides for the addition of predetermined items to previously printed material in such a manner as to personalize the printed matter and to give the impression that all of it was specially printed for instance for a particular person or a particular purpose. The apparatus further provides for the combination of certain fixed additional items to be printed in. associated relation with the successive changing items. The apparatus in addition is con,- structed to automatically prevent injury to the mechanism as a result of the development of unexpected obstructions in the operation there- 'ofyandaccordingly requires noparticularly skilled supervision in its operation. All that is required on the part-of the operator is the placing of a supply of slugs 54 in the chute 18; if the associated items are to be printed in predetermined relation to the changeable items contained on the slugs 54, the proper slugs 6i and 63 or their In the operation of the apparatus, the slugs 54 which print the succespreviously printed matter, are transferred bodily to thelower carrier 4| for movement therewith to tthe printing position in opposition and in operative synchronism with the pressure member l'l;

Withthis arrangement, absolutely uniform impressions are produced in a simple and efficient :manner. It will be obvious that with the instant apparatus additional matter composed either wholly-or in part of successively changing items, may-be added to matter previously produced by any suitable printing operation such as printing "from type or lithographing, etc. In any case, "when the additional item or items have been added tothe previously produced material, the result will present the appearance of having been produced coincidentally in a manner to give the printed matter as a whole a highly personalized character, giving the impression of having been produced specially, for instance, for the recipient.

Various changes in the specific forms shown and described may be made within the scope of the claims without departing from the spirit of I theinvention.

I claim:

1. Ina printing machine of the kind described, a support for a plurality of slugs provided with type items to be printed, printing mechanism including a printing member normally in receiving relation to said support, a transfer device for transferring successive slugs from said support to said printing member, mechanism for "operating said device, and a connection between said mechanism and device adapted to be automatically broken upon the development of abnormal resistance to the operation of said transfer device.

2. he printing machine of the kind described, "a support for a plurality of slugs provided with type items to be printed, printing mechanism including a printing member normally in receiving relation to said support, a transfer device for transferring successive slugs from said support "to said printing member, mechanism including an operating member for operating said device, 'anda detent connecting said lever with said device adapted to yield and automatically break said connection upon the development of abnormal resistance to the operation of said transfer device.

'3. In a. printing machine of the kind described, a; chute for a plurality of slugs provided with type "items to be printed, printing mechanism including aprinting member normally in receiving relation to said chute, a guide wall extending across the delivery end of said chute, a transfer device slidable along said wall for transferring successive slugs from said chute to said printing member, mechanism including a rocking lever for reciprocating said transfer device on said guide wall, and a detent yieldingly mounted on said 'leverfor connecting the latter with said transfer device, said detent being automatically shifted tobreak said connection upon the development of abnormal resistance to the operation of said transfer device.

4. In a printing machine of the kind described,

a horizontal 'chute'for a plurality of slugs providedwith type items tobe printed, an upright wall extending lengthwise of said chute, a transverse extension I at one end of said wall, an-upright guide wallextending transversely across the-delivery end of said chute in spaced relation to said transverse extension to form therewith an exit passage, said guide wall being provided with-a longitudinal slot, printing mechanism including a verticallyoperating printing member normally in receiving relation to said exit passage a'block slidably'mounted in the slot of said=guide wall, a transfer device carried by said'block and movable therewith-along said'guide Wall for transferring successive slugs from said chute through said exit passage to said printing member, a guide rod extending in'parallel relation to said guide wall, an arm slidably mounted on said rodand connected with said block, a projection movable with said arm, a rocking lever pivotally movablein a horizontal plane, means for operating said lever, and a detent yieldingly mounted on said lever and normally in engagement with said projection to operatively connect said lever with said transferdevice, said detent being automatically disconnected from saidprojection tobreak the connection between the rocking lever and the transfer device upon the development of abnormal resistance to the operation of the latter.

v5. In a printing machine of the kind described, printing mechanism including a printing member, a support for a plurality of slugs provided with type items to be printed, means for transferring successive slugs from said support to said printing member, an intermittently operated endless device having its one run in operative relation to said support, and means detachably connected with said one run of said operating device and 'movable thereby relatively to said support for intermittently shifting said slugs to bringsuccessive slugs into operative relation to said transferring means. I 1

6. In a printing machine of the kind described, printing mechanism including a printing member, a chute for a plurality of slugs provided with type items to be printed and having a slot-extending lengthwise thereof, means for transferring successive slugs from said chute to said printing member, an endless chain having-its one run movable in said slot, means for operating said chain in intermittent steps to correspondingly move said one run thereof lengthwise of said slot, and advancing means detachably connected with said one run of said chain and intermittently movable thereby lengthwise of said chute to bring successive slugs into operative relation to said transferring means.

7. In a printing machine of the kind described, printing mechanism including a printing member, a chute for a plurality of slugs provided with type items to be printed and having a slot extending lengthwisethereof, means for transferring successive slugs from said chute to said printing member, an endless chain having its one run movable in said slot, means for operating said chain in intermittent steps to correspondingly move said one run thereof lengthwise of said slot, an advancing member detachably connected with said run of said chain and intermittently movable thereby lengthwise of said chute to bring successive slugs into operative relation to said transferring means, and means carrying said advancing member and movable therewith by said chain, said means being opsaid chain and to disconnect it therefrom at will.

8. In a printing machine of the kind described, printing mechanism including a printing member, a chute for a plurality of slugs provided with type items to be printed and having a slot extending lengthwise thereof, means for transferring successive slugs from said chute to said printing member, an endless chain having its one run movable in said slot, means for operating said chain in intermittent steps to correspondingly move said one run thereof lengthwise of said slot, an advanicng member detachably connected with said run of said chain and intermittently movable thereby lengthwise of said chute to bring successive slugs into operative relation to said transferring means, a carrier for said advancing member, and a slide block movable lengthwise of said chute in spaced parallel relation to said chain for guiding said carrier and for acting as a fulcrum on which the latter may be pivotally operated to selectively connect and disconnect the advancing member with and from said chain.

9. In a printing machine of the kind described, printing mechanism-including a printing memher, a chute for a plurality of slugs provided with type items to be printed and having a slot extending lengthwise along the longitudinal centre of said chute, a grooved wall extending lengthwise of said chute in spaced parallel relation to the slot thereof, means for transferring successive slugs from said chute to said printing member, an endless chain having its one run movable in said slot, means for intermittently operating said chain to correspondingly move said one run lengthwise of said slot, an ad vancing member detachably connected with said run of said chain and intermittently movable thereby lengthwise of said chute to bring successive slugs into operative relation to said transferring means, a lever carrying said advancing member and extending transversely across said grooved wall, and a slide block movable lengthwise of said grooved Wall and connected with said lever for guiding the latter and said advancing member lengthwise of said chute, said slide block selectively serving as a fulcrum for said lever whereby the latter may be pivotally operated to connect and disconnect the advancing member with and from said chain at will.

10. In a printing machine of the kind de scribed, printing mechanism including a printing member, a chute for a plurality of slugs provided with type items to be printed and having a slot extending lengthwise along the longitudinal centre of said chute, a wall extending lengthwise of said chute and provided with a longitudinal undercut groove means for transferring successive slugs from said chute to said printing member, an endless chain having its one run movable in said slot, means forintermittently operating said chain to correspondingly move said one run lengthwise of said slot, an advancing member detachably connected with said run of said chain and intermittently movable thereby lengthwise of said chute to bring successive slugs into operative relation to said transferring means, a lever carrying said advancing member and extending transversely across said grooved wall, a slide block movable lengthwise of said undercut groove and connected with said lever for guiding the latter and said advancing member lengthwise of said chute, and a rib extending along the inner edge of said block in said groove erative toconnect said advancing member with 11. In a printing machine of the kind described,

a support for a plurality of slugs provided with variable type items to be printed, printing mechanism including a movable printing member normally located in receiving relation to said sup-;

port, means operating in timed relation to said printing member for shifting successive slugs from said support to a printing position on said printing member, clamping means for removably clamping said slugs in place on said printing member, and means on said clamping means for accommodating additional type items in associated printing relation to the type item on each slug successively carried by said printing member.

12. In a printing machine of the kind described, a support for a plurality of slugs provided with Variable type items to be printed, printing mechanism including a movable printing member normally located in receiving relation to said support, means operating in timed relation to said printing member for shifting successive slugs from said support to a printing position on said printing member, means on said printing member for carrying additional type items in associated printing relation to the type items on each slug successively carried by said printing member, and clamping means for removably clamping successive slugs in place on said printing member.

13. In a printing machine of the kind described, a support for a plurality of slugs provided with variable type items to be printed, printing mechanism including a movable printing member normally located in receiving relation to said support, means operating in timed relation to said printing member for shifting successive slugs from said support to a printing position on said printing member, means on said printing member for carrying additional type items in associated printing relation to the type items on each slug successively carried by said printing member, clamping means for removably clamping successive slugs in place on said printing member, and means on said clamping means for carrying additional type items in associated printing relation to said first named additional type items and to the type item on each slug successively carried by said printing member.

14. In a printing machine of the kind described, a support for a plurality of slugs provided with type items to be printed, printing mechanism including a printing member normally in receiving relation to said support, a transfer device for transferring successive slugs from said support to said printing member, mechanism for operating said device, and means for automatically impacting successive terminal slugs on said support to disrupt any developed clinging to an adjacent slug prior to the transferring operation of said transfer device.

15. In a printing machine of the kind described, a support for a plurality of slugs provided with type items to be printed, printing mechanism including a printing member normally in receiving relation to said support, a transfer device for transferring successive slugs from said support to said printing member, mechanism for operating said device, pivotally mounted impacting means, and means for periodically actuating said impacting means to loosen a terminal slug which may cling to an adjacent slug,

prior to the transferring operation of said transfer device.

16. In a printing machine of the kind described, a support for a plurality of slugs provided with type items to be printed, printing mechanism including a vertically reciprocable printing member normally in receiving relation to said support, means for transferring successive slugs from said support to said printing memher, a releasable device for supporting said printing member to resist the impression pressure during printing, a pivotally mounted impacting device, an adjustable projection carried by said impacting device, a bracket movable with said releasable device, and means for shifting the latter to and from its operative position to coincidentally cause said bracket to operate said impacting device and thereby loosen a terminal slug which may cling to an adjacent slug, prior to the transferring operation of said transferring means/- 17. In a printing machine of the kind described, printing mechanism including a printing member arranged to carry type items to be printed, inking means for inking successive type items on said printing member prior to the printing operation, means including a distributing roll for supplying said inking means with ink, and adjustable mechanism for intermittently rotating said distributing roll to a varying extent.

18. In a printing machine of the kind described, printing mechanism including a printing member arranged to carry type items to be printed, inking means including inking rollers,

ing operation, a rotatably mounted inking platen 7 over which said inking rollers are adapted to travel, means for rotatably actuating said platen, and means for vertically operating said printing member and for coincidentally operating said platen actuating means to intermittently rotate said platen.

20. In a printing machine of the kind described, a support for a plurality of slugs provided with type items to be printed, printing mechanism including a printing member normally in receiving relation to said support, means for transferring successive slugs from said support to said printing member to coincidentally remove successive preceding slugs therefrom, a chute for receiving the discarded slugs, a trough for receiving the slugs discarded from said chute, a pushing member, and adjustable means for reciprocating said pushing member relatively to said trough whereby the discarded slugs are intermittently shifted lengthwise thereof.

HARRY L. LATZ. 

